A detailed look at DxOMark's image quality testing protocols, including laboratory conditions and setup, methods, test-specific tools, and software that DxO Labs developed and uses to ensure scientific, bias-free data and repeatable results.

DxO Labs has been measuring image quality parameters for a broad range of digital cameras and lenses (DSLRs, compact DSCs, cameraphones) for many years. To ensure that our measurements were accurate, repeatable, and covered the desired range of image quality parameters, we developed DxO Analyzer, now the world's leading tool for accurate and reliable image quality performance measurement. All published DxOMark measurements have been made using DxO Analyzer.

DxOMark measurements are performed on cameras and lenses that are bought or rented from retailers. It is DxO Labs’ policy to test and publish results for publicly-available versions of each camera, rather than for cameras lent by the manufacturer or for pre-series models.

To eliminate setup bias, settings, instrument calibration, light levels, cleanliness (including that of the camera and lens), and all other parameters are checked and rechecked before each camera/lens is tested to ensure that all cameras and lenses are tested under exactly the same conditions.

Finally, each measurement is validated by at least two technicians who take their measurements on different days to minimize the risk of manipulation errors.